Each of us have a unique style and texture of hair just like our complexion and features. The type, texture and health of hair always depend mainly on hereditary factors. Even though hair comes in many colors and textures, it is all made of the same materials. The main ingredient of human hair is a protein called keratin, which is also found in human skin, teeth, fingernails and toenails. Hair also includes oils for texture and a chemical called melanin. Keratin is very strong and rigid when thick, it can be very flexible when very thin. Keratin is a protein, which in turn is made up of amino acids and cysteine disulfide. The latter makes sulfur atoms form a firm structure called disulfide bridges. The levels of the amino acids and disulfide bridges determine what the hair will look like. Whether a person's hair is straight or curly depends not on the shape of the medulla, as once believed, but the shape of the entire follicle and the angle at which it grows out of the skin. Straight hair is grown at less of an angle and is flatter in shape. Curly hair is more oval-shaped and grows out at a steep angle.

One of the most common misconceptions about hair is that it is alive, when in fact hair is nonliving and does not heal itself once it is injured. So once the hair is damaged it cannot heal itself except through new hair growth at the scalp. Many external substances can greatly affect the appearance of human hair, no matter what shape it is or what your genes have programmed it to do. Bad nutrition, harsh chemicals, dyes and constant use of blow dryers and curling irons can damage the hair's original condition. VNTG Boutique Miracle Butter, Miracle Oil, Stimulating Wash,Stimulating Conditioner and LazyLavender Wash all help improve the condition of damaged hair.

Common Sources of Hair damage

Chemical Damage

Chemical damage is one of the most common culprits of hair damage, as processed hair loses its natural moisturizers and the protective lipid layer of fat on the outside of the cuticle (responsible for making the hair shiny) is removed. The result is dried-out, dull, frizzy hair. Stop dyeing your hair. If you do dye your hair, choose a shade that's within three shades of your natural color. Bleaching hair penetrates the cuticle with chemicals and removes your natural pigment. Bleaching changes the structure of your hair, making it more susceptible to damage. Dyeing hair darker, rather than lighter, also generally is less damaging. If you add blow drying and styling on top of dyeing, you can really damage your hair, causing hair breakage, a dull look, and split ends. Perming and relaxing hair is a chemical straightening or a chemical curling process that breaks the inner bonds of the hair and re-forming them back together in a different way. Like bleaching, it weakens your hair, leaving it dull and damaged over time so that instead of luxurious curly locks or shiny straight tresses, your hair looks brittle and dry. Use VNTG Boutiques Stimulating Wash or LazyLavender Wash, Stimulating Conditioner and Miracle Oil regularly to improve the appearance of damaged hair.

Sun Damage

Hair can get tanned and damaged, just like skin. Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or a tanning booth weakens the hair structurally, resulting in hair breakage and loss.The best protection is a hat or umbrella. Grey hair is most subject to damage from the sun, followed by blonde hair. If your hair is grey and you’re going to be out in the sun a lot without a hat, you may want to consider dyeing it dark; it's a trade-off, but damage from the sun is worse in this case than damage from the dye. Use VNTG Boutiques Stimulating Wash or LazyLavender Wash, Stimulating Conditioner and Miracle Oil regularly to improve the appearance of damaged hair.

Blow Drying

Blow drying hair can result in hair damage. Water in hair is what makes it flexible. Heating appliances boil the water within the hair shaft, creating escaping steam. Hair bubbles form on the hair shaft, creating a loss of cuticle. Signs of heat damage include hair that smells burned, has frizzy ends, and breaks easily. To dry hair without damaging it: Allow hair to air dry, when possible. If you have to use a hairdryer, start out on the lowest heat setting first and gradually increase it. Moisturizing the hair regularly will help the appearance of heat-damaged hair to some degree, but hair damaged by heat cannot be repaired. The affected hair will need to be cut off and allowed to re-grow as healthy hair. Use VNTG Boutiques Stimulating Wash or LazyLavender Wash, Stimulating Conditioner and Miracle Oil regularly to improve the appearance of damaged hair.

Straightening Hair

Straightening irons can damage your hair. The chances of this are smaller if you take preventive measures. However, if you are careless with your hair care practices, you can expect to see your strands get drier, frizzier and more fragile with the use of a straightening iron. For instance, if your hair is relaxed, permed or color-treated, it is wise to limit the use of the iron. You should also not use the iron on wet or damp hair, nor should you slide the iron upwards. The cuticle on your hair shaft should be smoothed downwards. When you notice your hair starting to get scraggly, instead of using a straightening iron as a quick fix, consider getting the ends of your hair trimmed. This helps keep your mane attractive without your having to use a flat iron on such a frequent and regular basis. When you do reach for the flat iron, make it a habit to spray on a hair care product that protects against heat exposure (like VNTG Boutique Miracle Oil) prior to letting the iron anywhere near your tresses. It would also benefit you to invest in a quality straightening iron if you haven't yet done so, but intend to continue using one. Use VNTG Boutiques Stimulating Wash or LazyLavender Wash, Stimulating Conditioner and Miracle Oil regularly to improve the appearance of damaged hair.

Over-shampooing

The goal of shampooing is to cleanse the scalp and remove oil buildup on your hair but over-washing can wash away your hair's natural moisture that helps your hair look healthy, making your hair dry. How often you shampoo is a matter of personal preference, it really depends on the scalp and hair type and what you do to the hair. There's no need to wash your hair every day, daily shampooing is only necessary if oil production on the scalp is high. The longer, thicker, curlier, and more processed your hair, the longer it can go between washes.

Over-brushing

Think 100 strokes a day will make your hair shiny and full? Think again. Brushing your hair causes snags and tangles that are hard to get out resulting in hair breakage and split ends. Use VNTG Boutiques Stimulating Wash or LazyLavender Wash, Stimulating Conditioner and Miracle Oil regularly to improve the appearance of damaged hair.

Ponytails and Braids

Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly. If you wear it that way everyday, permanent hair damage can occur. Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause even more damage because wet hair is more fragile. Use VNTG Boutiques Stimulating Wash or LazyLavender Wash, Stimulating Conditioner and Miracle Oil regularly to improve the appearance of damaged hair.

Hair types 101

Straight Hair

· The main characteristics of straight hair S1a are:

· Hangs loose and free.

· Sleek.

· Shiny (reflects light easily).

· Hard to damage.

· Very hard to curl.

· Easily becomes oily.

Wavy Hair

· The main characteristics of wavy hair are:

· It lies between straight and curly hair.

· Wavy hair is more susceptible to frizz.

· Has little bounce.

· It has more shine than curly hair, but less than straight.

There are 3 sub categories for wavy hair which all form different "S" shaped curves or curls.

2a- is thinner than other two forms; as a matter of fact, 2A hair is fine. Strands have just a hint of a bend in them. S-waves are loose and stretched out throughout the hair. This type can easily be styled straight or curly.2b- is a little thicker, with S-waves being shorter, more distinct and more resistant to styling. 2c is thick and coarse, with very distinct S-waves and more resistant to styling.

Curly Hair

The main characteristics of curly hair are:

· Wavy hair has a lot of body.

· Can be styled in different styles.

· Does not have lots of sheen.

· Prone to damage.

· Easily frizzes in the humid climate.

· It has a much tighter curl pattern.

There are 3 sub categories for curly hair the only difference is in the size of the curl.